Plenty of discontent in Dol-fan world after Sunday’s loss in Baltimore. Let the therapy session begin:

Q: Watching the game on Sunday, I can’t say that Henne played particularly poorly. The first pick was because Hartline fell, the second was bad effort by Marshall Only the last was totally his fault. Otherwise he was solid. But there’s no game I could point to and say, “ Miami won because of Chad” in the same way I could about Rivers, Manning or Brady, and that even goes for guys like Josh Freeman or Aaron Rodgers. Heck, Brett Favre just added to his legend against the Cards at age 41. To my mind, Henne doesn’t have anything that’s elite, whether it’s arm strength, accuracy, mobility or intelligence. What do you think? Too early to judge or should we wait? I’m for giving him the rest of the season but he needs to show me something like some 4 TD days or some 4th quarter comebacks. Brandon Rask, Belleair Bluffs.

A: Let’s face it, Henne didn’t play well at Baltimore. He has to hit a wide-open Anthony Fasano on the goalline at the end of the first half. He has to do a better job of getting rid of the ball and avoiding the second-wave sack. He has to be more accurate in general. But it’s not like he had a ton of chances to do much after that first drive, not with the Ravens holding the ball for nearly 39 minutes on the afternoon. As for any elite-level areas in Henne’s game, I believe the arm strength certainly qualifies, as does the football intelligence. Mobility and accuracy, I’ll grant you, still need work. But you’re forgetting several games last season – the first Jets game, the Patriots down here – where he was outstanding, and you’re also leaving out fourth-quarter comebacks against the Jets, Bucs and Patriots in 2009. The young man is 11-10 as an NFL starter. Give him time.

Q: Why not start Tyler Thigpen? I’m serious about this, Mike. He can run, he can throw, he can improvise. Yes, he also throws picks, but look at Henne. Tyler has had enough time to absorb what the team wants out of a QB, so isn’t it time to give him a shot? I haven’t been as excited about the Fins since his performance last year against Pitt. I say the reason they don’t start him is ego! They have made a mistake with Henne and can’t let it go! Doug, Pensacola.

A: I don’t doubt that Thigpen will become a regular starter again in the NFL. He has an exciting skill set and definite leadership qualities. But as far as making a change with the Dolphins, we’re not there yet. I believe Henne will do fine these next two weeks against the Titans and Bears. If he regresses and the Dolphins are at .500 or worse through 10 games, then it’s possible they’ll be looking for a jolt with 10 days to prepare for a trip to Oakland. At that point, it could be Thigpen or, more likely, Chad Pennington that enters the picture.

Q: Always a pleasure to read your stuff. Today was a little too much for me however, as I believe it is high time you and your fellow Dolphin reporters stop kowtowing to Channing Crowder and start calling him out.

He is a non-factor, and has been for the five-plus years he has been in this league. He is making $6.1 million dollars, and his career stats read like he should be coaching a JV team somewhere. In five-plus years, this third-round draft pick has one interception. He has 2.5 sacks for minus 13 yards. Only 325 tackles, an average of 54 per year. Three forced fumbles? Only 18 passes defended? This from a third-round pick who is making over $6 million per year, and runs his mouth like he is the second coming of Ray Lewis.

Time for him to put up or shut up. His claim of being spat upon, true or not, is just another way for him to try to make us forget that he really is NOT a very good football player. What the Dolphin coaches see in this guy is beyond me, but I never played the game. But spending the majority of the game on your rear end, out of the play, time and time again, is not what I would expect from my starting LB if I were a coach. Thanks for listening. Hope you guys call it like it is for the rest of the year. Hopefully, there will be some good stuff to call! Mike Rarus, Parkland.

A: Thanks for the kind words, Mike, but I assure you nobody on our staff is kowtowing to Channing. His impact against the run these past four games has been tangible, although the defense missed far too many tackles at Baltimore. Should an inside linebacker make more plays than Channing does? Absolutely, and he’d be the first to admit that. The addition of Karlos Dansby cuts down on some of those opportunities, but in general more production would be nice. The talking? Well, that’s not for everybody, but I can assure you this guy has a genuine respect factor inside that locker room and in that defensive huddle. And I don’t doubt for a second that Channing’s version of the Le’Ron McClain spitting incident is true. Kendall Langford corroborated it after the game. Nor do I blame Channing for taking it public. I agree with the Dolphins that there’s no place in the game for stunts like that.

Comments (363 Comments)

I can’t in all good conscience blame it on Henne. There is much more going on with this team that his issues actually rank down the list. Play calling has me baffled…if it isn’t that blasted “wildcat” stiffling good drives, it is the same sorry 5 yard slants or the ball droppers that have been well documented (TE) Come on Anthony.
Our Defense has been doing this for years, they tease us with good play, then don’t show up late in games.
Can we do something about the running plays off tackle right? We don’t take advantage of weaknesses vs. Long/Incognito on the left. We use the same screen patterns…I can see the formation and know exactly what is coming.
Again, Henne sometimes reverts back to Nolan Ryan fastballs and sends darts on 5 yard crosses and at times high. And for a big man, he slides way too early when he does pull it down, I would be very happy if he put his nose in there and got the first.
We miss tackles, couldn’t cover the TE for years, now we can’t cover the back…shall I continue?

My criticism on Chad Henne is fundamental in the sense that one normally does not “acquire” the quality he is missing. That quality is having the “fire,” the required “emotional” courage displayed by above average and great leaders. Chad says he does not get too high or too low, that he keeps his emotions on an even keel. THAT is exactly what is wrong with Chad. Just look at the “eyes” and the whole “body language” of quarterbacks like Marino, Favre, Peyton Manning, etc. The FIRE is visible in their eyes when they are communicating in the huddle. Sorry to say, Chad Henne is too “lukewarm,” too much “in the fence.” For him to become a great quarterback, he has to be totally committed, confident in his ability to get those first downs and touchdowns, even if there is an interception now and then. That is the risk he has to be willing to take. Either be great or be real bad, but please do not be mediocre. Bring the “fire” into your game. Good luck!

Oh God another fire in their eyes person. You ever play sport at a high level..I doubt it. There some that are great QB’s with fire as you call it that are great and some without that are equally great. Did Johnny U, or Bart Star have that “fire”..no, but they were still great QB’s How about Joe Montana no, Bob Griese no, Kurt Warner no, Chad Pennington no, Drew Brees no. Not all QB’s are the same, and great QBs doing in different ways.

Sorry to be a dickweed but containing CJ running on tennesee D and
Moss being a non factor is a lot to have happen in the game. Add a short leash on an already choked Henne and my gut says another loss at home.

Here we go again. NOBODY agreed with Randy on Henning and EVERYONE called him stupid for saying what he already knew Henning was.

Randy, you really do have a complex. LOL

There were a lot of people who weren’t fans of Henning on this blog, not just you.

Also there is a difference in the Henning in Miami and the Henning in other cities of the past. For instance, in Carolina he ran the ball and ran it again regardless if the fans liked it or not. Here he abandon’s the run or what’s working in the attempt to try different things. That’s not the same old Henning. I’d prefer the old Henning with this team, the guy who stuck with the running game when it was working.

At the start of the season most thought we would be 5-3 at best maybe 4-4
GB and Minn were playoff teams and considered superbowl contenders. Cinn won their div and Balt is a superbowl favorite. We were 3-1 in these games. Jets Pats and Steelers are all expected to be superbowl contenders.
We are a bad call away from being 5-3 but we will at worst go 6-2 down the stretch. 10-6 may get us in the playoffs depends on the tie breakers. NE will fall in the second half of the yr

I admit I finally have to give Crowder credit. When he got his hair pulled by the Patriots linesman he ran and laughed like a girly girl. At least when he got spit on he was ready to fight. Maybe now he realizes that the entire NFL hates him and he should just shut his mouth

Yes it is idiot. We went 11-5 in 0-8 because we played a 4th place schedule.
We also played the weak NFC west. The Rams Browns and Lions pull an occassional upset but they are not as tough as playing the Raven Steelers Packers Jets and Pats clown

jay……yes, it was a terrible call against pittsburgh…..BUT we still had the ball with 2 1/2 minutes and needing ONLY a FG to win……..and failed miserably…..good TEAMS find a way to win in those situations.

“I have decided to look into exactly how much of a genius Dan Henning is by looking at his career stats. A few interesting things came to light:

1. This man changes jobs faster than some of the Mob may change underwear. 31 years and his longest stint was in Carolina (6 years), this is his 11th NFL stop
2. The record of teams he has coached does not scream genius (221-254-1 — .465 winning percentage) – be thankful he isn’t our head coach — 38-73-1
3. His average offensive rank based on points is 17.8.
4. His average offensive rank based on yards is 17.0

In 31 seasons his offense has ranked in the top 10 in points in the league 4 times – bottom 10 – 15 times
In 31 seasons his offense has ranked in the top 10 in yards in the league 6 times — bottom 10 — 15 times”
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If you look closer at some of these stints you will find that Henning’s offenses almost always started out very good but then fizzles as the season’s past. The primary criticism of him throughout his career and the main reason why he has been fired so much is his offenses become too conservative over time, often struggling to score.

Top Secret,
You are right we had the ball with a chance to win. We didn’t get it done and we are 4-4. That still was a terrible call. I usually do not respond to Jetfreak and his Phin bashing but I have free time today.

Ok, I just heard a sound bite from Sparano. Not sure if it was yesterday or today as I tried to avoid everything Dolphins yesterday.

In the sound bite he said that they gave Ronnie too many carries in the first drive and it made it that he had more carries. He said “Ronnie’s series ended up being longer than Ricky’s (Williams)–probably should’ve pulled Ronnie (Brown) out of there in the middle of some of that but Ronnie (Brown) was running it pretty good.”

Wow. I mean are you freaking kidding me? Ronnie got more carries than Ricky – but shouldn’t have? They combined for 11 freakin’ carries!!! Eleven!!! Maybe you should have stayed with the run a bit more you buffoon!!!

That was yesterday’s press conference. Can you imagine him saying that. If he stuck with the run just a little bit more maybe we would have had some success. This has been a joke. We just don’t know who to blame anymore. Ultimately the head coach needs to take the blame. Henne is not executing…Henning is calling shit plays…and the defense has one good game and then they go on vacation for the next…special teams shows up on occasion…and Brandon Marshall is getting paid very well to block down field…Oh and let’s not forget all the money we paid PARCELL’S….

I want to give Henne the time, but I look at all the other 1st, 2nd and 3rd year QB’s playing fine and with less talent. It’s frustrating because you want him to work out. It’s frustrating because would he be better without Henning? Is it time to let him audible more at the line and make his own calls? Is it time to air it out? The playoffs aren’t happenining. If they really want to see if Henne has it, then Henning either needs to go OR Sparano needs to man up and let the kid sink or swim. If this team loses the next 2-3 and it’s not looking any better, it’s time for Pennington. Maybe a change of pace will help Henne and push him. He never had to compete for the job. I have a feeling if there was an “honest” QB competition last camp, Pennington would be the starter. But with all that said, I feel like Henne is handcuffed by his own decisions, Henning’s play calling, and a non existant TE. I’m not saying anything new. Just need to vent. I’m tired of the QB revolving door that’s been here since the 62-7 nightmare. Three words: Idaho’s Nathan Enderle

“if you told me from the beginning of the game that we’d end up with 17 rushing attempts yesterday I’d thought you were nuts, but, that’s just the way the game went unfortunately, it’s the way the game ended up going. We take a little bit of responsibility there, but what I mean by that is just (you know) you’re calling a screen to one of your (you know) to reaIIy one of your best players out there. It’s a minus 4 yard play at the end of that because you don’t execute it, so…now you’re at 2nd and 14 and you go throw throw so that’s kind of (what) gets you off the beat and path a little bit where reaIIy you could’ve came out and handed it off and did all that good stuff and then you guys would’ve been asking me why we didn’t throw it to Brandon (Marshall).”
___________________

First off I would like to thank Sparano for stopping by with the sound bites. Does he have a filter that sensors and of the sh!t he says?

First off – Ronnie had 9 carries and Ricky had 2 carries. We had 11 running plays. Chad Henne was credited with 5 carries (none were designed runs) as he was running for his life. Are you reaIIy trying to pass off a couple of scrambles and 2 sacks as called run plays dickweed?

Second – when you are running the ball at 6+ yards a carry WTF do you call a risky – dumb ass WR screen to your slowest WR on first down (4 yards behind the line of scrimmage)??? Is your motto truly “In Henning We Trust” dimwit?

Third – WTF do you always blame the players execution? Do you reaIIy think it was smart to throw Brandon under the bus there for not executing the dumb ass screen better birdbrain?

Fourth – “now you’re at 2nd and 14 and you go throw throw so that’s kind of (what) gets you off the beat and path a little bit where reaIIy you could’ve came out and handed it off and did all that good stuff” – isn’t that indicative of poor play choices schmuck-nuts?

Finally – “you guys would’ve been asking me why we didn’t throw it to Brandon (Marshall).” – so you are defending a dumb ass play call because you wanted to playcate the media? Are you fooking kidding me?!? Win the damn game – don’t worry about the media questions mosquitobrians!!!

I personally like Nick Foles from AZ, but what do I know? But I am not looking to replace Henne. I thought he was the best QB in the draft and the best young QB out there now. better than Ryan, Flacco, Sanchez et al. We just need to work more into his strengths. (Which includes a better offensive strategy)

Just want to let you know that what you said pretty much sums up exactly how I feel. We’re in a tough spot with this kid, because we want him to succeed, it’s what is best for the franchise, so we don’t need to spend another important draft choice on a QB.

I am very far from being convinced he is a franchise QB. The sad thing is, like you said, is if the playcalling, and the “take no chances” mantra remains, how will we ever properly evaluate him without the thought being in the back of your head that he was handcuffed by his OC.

He must be let go, it HAS to happen. Unleash him, and see what he has. How about a “take no prisoners” mantra rather than take no TD’s. Call some deep pass plays, let the kid throw the ball down the field, with his big arm, see if hits a few. Not saying we should pass all game, far from it. If we run like we’re capable, he should be able to play action teams to death, and hit some deep shots. Let him not play scared, but confident he make any throw on the field. If he fails while playing this, after a few games, then maybe we need to go back to the drawing board, but let’s make an informed decision one way, or the other.

Has anybody noticed that maybe the last three games the fins played were teams coming off of thier bye week & it’s the same thing again playing the Titans. I’m tired of these excuses and patronizing Henne. He hasn’t produced a winning drive from atleast 5 opportunities. He has thrown an interception on the last play of the game for how weeks now. He supposed to have a rocket arm (I can’t tell) He goes long probably once a game. He just isn’t poised, once his first options is taken away – he is looking to put his head in the hole in the ground. He can’t extend plays or just step up in the pocket and throw the damn ball. Put Penney in & watch us we win games. See what the difference is with some momentum on our side.

Henne has performed very well within the confines of a very unimaginative offensive scheme. Remember he must work with whatever Henning dictates. He occasionally makes mistakes such as a poor pass to Fasano in the end zone against the Ravens but shall we count up the drops by Fasano, Brown, Marshall, Hartline and others in critical game changing situations? In short I know of NO GAMES that we lost because of Henne’s mistakes. Does our defense need to be replaced because of the last performance and a few others?

How would writers for this paper like the idea of having their vocabularies restricted to certain words and the ability to use certain phrases only at the discretion of the paper’s editor? This is exactly what is happening out there with Henne. He must remain within the bubble they give him.

For a guy with 21 NFL starts he is doing rather well and showing progress. But if you want to nail him at least apply the same standard to all others on the team and the coaches.

Phil,
Obama can’t even get a break and he is the President. I’m hoping it all comes together when we need it the most. Down the stretch, to the playoffs. Take the chains off so we can win a game convencingly. If Bill Parcell was active would we still have this problem?

Mike, Keep Henne for awhile But get rid of our Offensive Cord (henning). He has handcuffed our offense for FG’s. Unleash the hounds on Offense to see if Henne can handle the heat and use Marshall as he was intended for TD’s

Football intelligence?????????????????? FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE???????????

Why because he can throw a ball away?????

It is now evident that HENNE SUCKS!!!!!!!!! When/Ifs/Cans should not even be in the equasion at this point. The team is 4-4, they need to IMMIDIATELY pull Henne and let Pennington take the team. He earned it in pre-season, and shmuchfwad Sparano went with ‘DAA FUTURE!’. Yeah. Future what exactly?

Your well named clueless. Were settleing for to many FG’s. He is sending in the wrong play for the defenses. and they are not letting Henne change the play. And you have all the intelligence computer boy . Grow up

Sometimes it seems as if management that is paid $3,000,000/yr (Parcells) has gotten away with robbery. Are we to believe that Fasano, Bess, Hartline and Marshall represent a first class receiving group? They also had chances to add another big, fast receiver to take the pressure off of Marshall but they decided to sit that one out and cash in the big bucks for personal needs. Very top management decided big entertainers hanging out game day was a better investmen than a class receiver.

All teams put two defenders, even three on Marshall and take their chances with Fasano etal having seen more balls dropped than are caught week in and week out and they get away with it. Should we be surprised over the struggling offense?. This isnt rocket science. For Parcells to cop at a critical time in team development is even worse. What message does that send to players and fans?

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More